Remodeling Contractors' Page

First Things First, Do You Need an AHERA Inspection for renovation?

Here's what applies to the situation of renovating a house.

If you own the house and live in it, and it is a Single-Family Residence, you don't need (but you may want to) an AHERA Inspection. Anyone other than the homeowner will work on the project or you own the house but you don't reside in it, the Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L & I) requires that the asbestos survey be performed by an AHERA certified building inspector. A contractor working on a house need an AHERA Inspection to start with.

Who Is Responsible to have the Asbestos Survey Done If It's Needed?

Any person causing or allowing renovation or demolition (e.g. property owners/managers, lessors, tenants, contractors, workers, and other involved parties).

Is a Survey Needed for a Recently Built House?

Yes. There is no cut-off date when it is safe to assume that asbestos is not present in building materials. If your building was certified to be built asbestos-free, then this certification may be used as supporting documentation by the AHERA building inspector performing the survey.

Who Will Take the Samples for a Renovation

An AHERA certified asbestos inspector or the occupant of an Owner- Occupied, Single-Family Residence for which work is being done.

What Kind of Samples Will be Taken?

That depends on the nature of the renovation project. Please refer to "Where's Asbestos at Home?"